scapegoat

noun

ˈskāp-ˌgōt How to pronounce scapegoat (audio)
Definition of scapegoatnext
as in victim
a person or thing taking the blame for others companies often use the economy as a scapegoat to avoid taking responsibility for dropping sales

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scapegoat Just like the Mets, the case could be made that Boston’s president of baseball operations, Craig Breslow, deserved the blame, but the skipper became the scapegoat instead. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026 My working theory is that the recent surge in gas prices, along with uncertainty about how AI will change the labor market have coalesced into a doom-and-gloom mood that is exacerbated by social media, always a possible scapegoat for negative vibes in today. — Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 1 June 2026 Beyond becoming the office scapegoat, AI employees were actually counterproductive in many companies’ mission to increase AI adoption in the workplace. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 May 2026 Fox News’s Peter Doocy asked Trump whether sending Vance to Geneva, Switzerland, to sign the memorandum of understanding on Friday gives him a scapegoat in case the negotiations fall apart. — Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for scapegoat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scapegoat
  1. victim
  2. excuse
  3. goat
Noun
  • The families of the victims said the pain is still as raw to this day.
    — Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • Most of the victims lived nearby, and funeral prayers were expected later Tuesday.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Definition of victim
Noun
  • The excuses that keep piling up The backyard isn’t my first condition.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 July 2026
  • While a full overhaul of the entire system might not be practical, there is certainly no excuse for lawmakers to make things worse.
    — Adam Hoffer, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of excuse
Noun
  • In Mont Vernon, New Hampshire, farmer Mindy Dean, 50, and her family will be milking their goats Saturday and maybe taking in some local fireworks.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
  • Alpha-gal syndrome is caused by ticks, usually the lone star tick, that have previously fed on mammals like cows, deer, goats and pigs.
    — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 2 July 2026
Definition of goat

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scapegoat
scapegoats
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Cite this Entry

“Scapegoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scapegoat. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on scapegoat

Nglish: Translation of scapegoat for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about scapegoat

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